Hanging over a steep bluff where theAtlantic meets the Caribbean, the famous tropical hideaway known as El Conquistador appears out of nowhere. It was difficult to keep my jaw from dropping as I leaned over the marble entrance's balcony to take in the panoramic ocean views. There I was, perched three hundred feet above the turquoise sea. Breathtaking...

Infinity Pool, Las Brasitas

It's no wonder a scene from the James Bond movie, "Goldfinger" was shot here. The elegant lobby and casino beckon you to don a tux or diamond tiara for a game of roulette before dinner!

The Scene of the Crime...

After a two year multimillion-dollar makeover, it's 722 rooms share the grounds with a distinctive four-diamond resort called "Las Casitas", a villa-style resort-within-a-resort. where 24-hour butler service is simply part of the package. There are six swimming pools on the property as well as a brand new water park so kids, both young and old can spend the entire day outside. Another stellar grown-up attraction is the sprawling 72-par Arthur Hills golf course. This cliff top resort offers lots of ways to get your game on!

Las Casitas, Home with a 24-Hour Butler...

My Room...

Arthur Hill Golf Course

We rode the vernicular down the steep slope to enjoy a healthy bufftet lunch served poolside. We grazed on garden salad with plantain croutons and cilantro dressing, curried chicken wraps and savory cuban sandwiches. The gentle waves lapped at the rocks behind us, sending up welcome ocean spray as we sipped pineapple sangria.

The Vernicular

After much discussion about who was going down the vertical forty-foot drop water slide, we decided it was too soon after lunch for an extreme sport moment. Instead, we boarded a high speed catamaran that ferried us, in eight minutes, over to the hotel's most private sanctum,...Palomino Island. What could be more singularly seductive than a hundred-acre, palm-fringed oasis where you can horseback ride, snorkel or just lay back and soak up some serious vitamin D?

The Slides at Coquie Water Park

Your Own Private Island!

Marina at the El Conquistador

I led the girls through a twenty five minute "Caribbean cardio" workout treading water before we changed and headed back for an indulgent massage at the Golden Door Spa. Pulling away from the dock, our guide pointed out that "ElCon" houses the largest marina in the Caribbean. Are you on one of those yachts now, Sean Connery?